Tyler

Did I dream that or it really happened?

How in the world did dad pull that off? How did he manage to not only get the Elder Council to NOT rule in favor of Stonehold, but actually give me a chance? Asking a serious question here.

I was appalled by Jack's question if my dad had bribed the Elders but honestly, I asked myself the same. He didn't. Like he said, he doesn't have the money. We maybe a powerful pack, but the Alpha has little discretion about pack money. He actually lives off a paycheck. That's without taking into account there are 12 Elders, all retired and it'd be incredibly expensive to even entertain the idea. Not to mention dangerous. Dad could lose HIS job. So no, that's a non starter for him.

It's not like Stonehold who owns several properties throughout the town. But then again, his family founded the city more than 2 centuries ago. So, it's no surprise they have so much.

When Mr. Gutierrez said that if I hurt Jack again I wouldn't ascend to anything, I believed him. It doesn't take a genius to figure out this is my saving grace. My last chance. There wouldn't be any more. No matter how much I try to justify it in my mind, I couldn't touch him.

Not only that, but unfortunately he's going to date my sister after all. I hate to agree with it but honestly she could do a lot worse than a Stonehold. I don't like him, but that doesn't mean I have the right to keep Sarah from being happy. And I certainly can't keep her from being mated to him. No one can. It's the Moon Goddess' prerogative.

And my dad told me point blank after they left that if I lose this chance by hitting Jack again, he would expel me from the pack. My mom and Sarah gasped at his words. But if you know him, you know that he doesn't joke. I believed him. And I have no desire to be an outcast or to move away to another pack. This is my home. My family. My town. My pack. And I'm not going anywhere!

Saturday, I texted Elsa to see if she wanted do something together as I had nothing scheduled. She and I have a 'no strings attached' kinda relationship in which we get what we want from each other but still remain open wide to be mated, though that can only happen when we turn 18. Unless our mate is older than us. Then, they can discover us and trigger our bonding.

It's a beautiful thing to watch when you find your mate. Your eyes shine brightly signaling the presence of your wolf inside of you - the stronger the emotion brings its presence taking over you. And the more present your wolf is, the brighter your eyes shine.

Not only that, but our mate triggers the wolf inside of us to respond and our eyes shine its brightest as well. It's funny how I can't find my mate, but if she finds me, my wolf will know it. Which in turn will make me aware of it as well, compelling me to reply: MATE.

I'm still a few months away from 18, but I have no desire for girlfriends this late in the game. Plus now with the internship with my dad and training with the Delta, who's gonna have the time?

I took my dad's car (he rarely uses it on weekends) and drove Elsa around a bit for a snack and a chat. It's nice spending time with her and if by any chance she's my mate, I'm gonna be a happy man. No doubt about it. We make out in my car before I have to drop her off. We have such great chemistry together.

It's Monday. It feels so great to return to school, I can't even begin to describe it. You'd think I had a great time school free at my house but no, I was miserable. Mainly because my dad wasn't talking to me. And even when he did, it was verbal jab after jab. He only changed his demeanor after the news from the Elder Council.

I wish I could blame him and say he's being unreasonable but I know better. I did fucked it up.

But that was then, this is now. A new day has come. Though I could feel several people glaring at me as I walked trough the school halls, I do my best to push trough. It'd be naïve of me to think there wouldn't be any blowback from my fight with Jack. Especially him being a Stonehold.

I get it. I don't like it, but I do get it. Plus, who's gonna side with the attacker? We're werewolves not psychopaths. We can be vicious creatures, but that usually is reserved to our enemies not  returning orphans.

I get together with my friends, my boys who I missed even though I saw them a bit during my suspension. I have already told them about the Elder Council decision and they cheered me on. But I'd guess by now the entire pack knows too. It's not exactly something it can be kept a secret. Not really. Nor it should.

"Welcome back, bro. We've missed you." - Jason greets me with a honest smile.

"Thanks, Jay. I missed you guys too. So much." - I replied with a wide grin.

"Are you okay now with Jack and Sarah?" - Peter asked me in a frightful tone.

"I will never be okay with Jack period. Especially with him dating my sister. By I made my peace with it. It's not my choice who she gets mated to. I have major concerns now." - I replied with a sincere tone. I do have way bigger fish to fry now. Jack isn't going to take it for granted any more, which means he's going full throttle into the competition. One might think I got in the bag just because my dad is evaluating, but that would be wrong. And too predictable.

Sarah who isn't far from me talking to her 2 girl friends smiled at me.

"That's the spirit! Plus, it's gonna pay off when you ascend." - Peter said and I opened the biggest smile in response.

"The only thing he's ascending is to Beta." - Jack interjected, making me scowl. He approached the corner of the school we all were and kissed my sister on the cheek. He also greeted all our friends. Tony who is right beside him greeted us as well.

"You wish, Stonehold. You already lost, you just don't know about it." - I retorted, glaring daggers at him.

"Bring it on, Beta. I can't wait to crush you." - He smirked, feeling much more confident than he did on Friday that's for sure.

The bell rang and we went to class. I could bicker with him all day, but I don't have time for that. Plus, I can't afford to get testy with him. One false move and all could be lost. I didn't need much catching up to class because my friends let me borrow their notes, so I didn't miss much. Fortunately, it's just the second week of school so no exams. I kept my head down and carried on.

I heard whispers of students in my classroom commenting about my altercation with Jack. But only a few people have the balls to call me out on it. I just had to endure all the glares. And I'm certainly not about to lose more face by antagonizing anyone. I need to survive this.

By lunch time, things were almost back to normal. I sat at my usual table with our group of friends and my sister. I worried Jack would join us because of her, but I guess he prefers to keep his cousin company. Good for him. But I do catch glimpses of him being harassed by some girls during lunch. He's a popular guy I guess. It's entertaining to see Sarah pretending she doesn't care.

Try as she may, I know her. She cares a lot. Especially after she came back from their date swooning so hard she knocked her head on a door she's so distracted. Still, he does shoot glances her way from time to time. I don't have him in my peripheral vision but it's easy to catch it. It's when she smiles for no particular reason. Gross.

Jack got to my dad's office before me after school. I guess he has a car now. Good for him. But my dad waited for me to start his teaching. When I got to his office, he smiled at me. I don't get his good mood very often, so I relished in it. He proceeded to walk us trough his daily routine and all his activities as an Alpha.

He showed us his schedule, programs in his computer designed especially for our pack. It was very informative. Of course, most of it I had already learned as I started my internship last summer. But he was patient enough to teach Jack from the beginning. And he absorbed it all like a sponge.

Jack took notes, asked questions, engaged with my dad. He even went as far as making suggestions to better efficient dad's work. ON THE FIRST DAY. Fuck! This isn't the walk in the park I fantasized it would be. Not by a long shot.

"I have to let you boys go now. Delta Jones is expecting you both at the training center. Jack, since you're driving would you mind giving my son a ride? I mean, if it's okay with you?" - Dad suggested it and I gasped. I could drive myself, thank you very much. But I guess since we're both going that way...

"Of course, Alpha. It would be my pleasure. Thanks for today. It was very informative." - Jack replied, sucking up to dad. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. It's much worse than I anticipated.

Dad smiled at him and we left for the warrior training center. Since the entire town is part of our pack, the warriors trained in a different location than where the pack house is. It's not a long drive, but it's too far to go by foot. Especially since we're on a tight schedule.

"You're way better at this then I expected it." - I muttered after I got in his car, begrudgingly. It's not like we have witnesses to me complimenting him.

"Thanks. I am the son of the Alpha." - He smirked. I wanted to punch him so bad right now. I could make a snarky comment about his dad being dead but even I have morals. There is such thing as a low blow. And I don't need that to make me feel good.

"Yes, you are." - I replied nonchalant. Round one. Let's see about round two.

When we get to the center, a massive block that contained a gym, 2 fighting rings and several equipments used to whip our warriors into the best shape of the country, Delta Jones welcomed us and began by assessing how far along Jack's training is. He already knows how I fare because he's the one who supervised my training from the beginning.

Jack surprised him by showing he's been well trained. I don't know why I was so shocked myself, his uncle is a warrior. Plus, the guy has muscles for days. I'm not a skinny boy whatsoever but Jack looked ridiculous. When he took off his shirt at some point, even I saw why so many girls keep swooning over him. I mean, Jesus...

Half an hour later into training, Delta pits us against each other for a controlled fight. He's very clear that it's not a free for all. He explained the rules and also informed that it stops when he says it does. I have been waiting for this. I salivated to get my hands on him again. I had a very painful recovery after our fight, so I was gunning to even the score.

We lunged at each other's throats, so to speak. The fight is more about our strength than about throwing punches. It's about dominance. And I'm here for it. Our entire bodies are entangled in making the other one subdue.

He tries to force me down, but I don't let him. He tries to choke me but I counter strike him. I turn my body around to use my legs to choke him. He tries to detach himself from me, pushes me around. He raises his torso to throw me back to the ground but I don't let him escape. I latch onto him with enough willpower and brute force that the Delta was forced to call the fight before Jack could pass out from lack of circulation in his neck.

After that, he called it a day and we went to the locker room. It's getting late and I'm hungry. But more than anything, I'm satisfied. Honestly, I could barely walk I was floating. Jack and I picked up our respective duffel bags with a change of clothes and a towel. We're sweating buckets.

As we began undressing to take a shower, he looked at me for a minute in awe. If I had to guess, he didn't expect me to win a fight against him and was very surprised.

"You're very good at this, you know?" - He admitted, begrudgingly. I hate to say it but it made my day more than any other thing. It's petty but I don't care.

I looked at his chiseled jaw line, his muscled arms and ripped abdomen and said:

"Thanks. I wasn't made to fall in line." - I bragged. I gave him the most boastful smug grin I could muster before I removed my underwear and we proceeded to the shower area, towels and soaps in hand.

Round two, Burke. Let the games begin!

A|N: Usually when I start writing a chapter, the first thing that I pick is the title song and write around it. This is the first novel that I've wrote without having the songs selected first.

This is one of two that I wanted to be included from the get go. It's perfect for the theme of Tyler's.

Love,

Léo.